If we needed more incentive to build toilets for women, IndiaWaterPortal.org tells us that a new study finds that open defecation and the resulting poor sanitation adversely affect pregnancies.
The study, which observed 670 pregnant women in Odisha, links open defecation and poor sanitation with hookworm infestation, low birth weight (“found to be significantly associated with open defecation practices”), preterm delivery and adverse pregnancy outcomes like spontaneous abortions and stillbirths.
Stating the obvious seems to be an occupational hazard when you’re talking about women’s health. As IndiaWaterPortal tells us, “sanitation is a human right”. Shout from rooftops. Rinse, repeat.
Whatever happened to “Pehle shauchalaya, phir devalaya”? Eh?